Gore Creek

I paddled Gore for the first time June 5, 04. The level was about 300 cfs. We went from the filtration plant on Forest Road in West Vail to the Bus Stop takeout on the Eagle River at Miniturn; about 6-7 miles.

Access and shuttle are both easy and right near the Interstate.

This Creek is shallow, rocky and pretty continous with numerous class IIIish rapids. Above where Gore enters the Eagle there was one significant drop. It was just a bit steeper continous Colorado Creek; no notable rapids which presented features unlike the general charecter of the stream. Pretty much what you see is what you get until the Eagle. There are several pipes, one of which required getting out of the open boat; kaykas went under.

Dowd Chutes, a rapid which occurs maybe 200 yards downstream of the confluence with the Eagle River, is a big open wave train with several holes that could spill but not keep you. The Eagle more than doubled the flow but the river and there also seemed to be more features and possible play on the Eagle.

If you are a play boater, then you want to put in further upstream to take advantage of the artificially constructed playhole under the bridge, right in the middle of Vail Village.

300 cfs is locally regarded as low. There was enough water to paddle the creek but I bet at higher levels it gets considerably more pushy.

Pretty consistant fast flow, no pool/drop, no big drops.

Summary: Intermediate creek right on I-70 with good play spot and one class IV, easily walkable drop. The hole in town is good enough to just park, play and get out. Chris Kelly